Fergie backs McLeish for Scotland

Alex Ferguson insists Alex McLeish would be “the ideal choice” as the new Scotland manager.

Former Rangers, Motherwell and Hibernian boss McLeish is believed to be one of four names on a shortlist compiled by the Scottish Football Association as they seek Walter Smith’s successor.

McLeish is understood to be facing competition from Scotland number two Tommy Burns, Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies and Gary McAllister, who boasts 57 caps from an illustrious playing career.

McLeish is the favourite to land the job and Manchester United boss Ferguson - McLeish’s mentor and close friend – believes he possesses all the criteria to be a success.

“I think he’s ideal, I think it’s perfect,” Ferguson told www.leaguemanagers.com, the League Managers’ Association’s website.

“He’s had a good grooming in management; he’s been with Motherwell, Hibs and Rangers. During his four-and-a-half years at Rangers he won trophies and had the experience of dealing with difficult situations at Rangers. I think only now, the Rangers fans and the Scottish media recognise what a really good job he did.

“He did a fantastic job at Rangers because he had even less resources than Paul Le Guen, but he still kept them at a very, very good level so he is without question in my mind the ideal choice for the job.”

McLeish celebrates his 48th birthday this month and Ferguson is well aware he may feel the job has come along too soon.

However the Old Trafford boss insists McLeish, with Burns as his lieutenant, would make a formidable team.

Ferguson said: “He may think himself that he’s maybe a year too young to manage Scotland I think he’s perfect for it now. I think he’s a good age and that he’d have great back-up from Tommy Burns, who is an absolutely magnificent person to have at your side, a man with great experience, great integrity, good character. Everything is right for Tommy Burns to be in that role of helping Alex.”

Smith quit the national team for Rangers, after guiding Scotland to the top of a European Championship qualifying group which also includes World Cup finalists Italy and France.

And the first task facing his successor will be the double-header against Georgia and Italy in March.

Ferguson added: “Alex is an intelligent lad and he’ll look to add to what Walter has done. Rather than be disillusioned that Walter has left I think that we (Scots) should be happy that a younger man with the credentials of Alex McLeish, who is Scottish, can do the job.”